February 2020
- Artwork by IC Member, Shawn Mc.
“Whatever I feel is appealing to me, I put on the wall.” -Michael J.
Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Friday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM
February 5 - Art Pals and Artist Documentary
February 12 - Pop Up Art Show, John P.
February 19 - Sketchbook Sharing
February 26 - Black History Month Celebration Art Project
“Whatever I feel is appealing to me, I put on the wall.” Says Artist of the Month Michael J., “When I was like sixteen, I made assemblages on paper and glued photos I cut out from CD booklets. I made about seven of these pieces. They were photos of rappers like G Unit and Eminem. Then like four years ago I started putting pictures on my walls. I add like twenty pieces at a time. I print the pictures and will literally put every single one on the wall with a thumb tack until there are no more in my hand. It could take an hour each time I work on it. Things are all compacted in one picture, like faces, candy, signs, For Sale signs, and advertisement labels. It started with a BioHazard sign. I have been working on it for four years. I find images online and in magazines. The pictures are of my favorite rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, The Game, Young Buck, and Lloyd Banks. I like what they say in their music and listen to it daily. My favorite artists are 50 Cent and The Game. I like the pictures I print out and how they are all over the walls. I put a lot of time into it and it came out really good. When I am in the room I look everywhere. I move my eyes to different pictures, each piece is put on the wall with one thumb tack. There are hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I can stand back and look at what I did and what I accomplished. I also use my creativity in my clothing style. I tie knots into things I want to hold like fur on jackets, or holding pant legs so they don’t fall on the ground. I use string, shoe laces and bandanas I’ve cut. I use them if I like how it came out after I finished it. I have worked on drawing but I want to work on my wall. I like working alone in my own space. I want people to know about it and see it. Taking photos and sharing it at the IC and in newsletters is how I am sharing it with others. When people see it they have a big surprise on their face and say “WOW!” and “Look at all the work you have done!”. Feels good when someone walks in the room and sees my wall because they can see all I have accomplished.” -Mending Art Coordinator, Amy S.
Come join us on Monday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. for an hour of relaxation and sound healing presented by Toivo. This is one that you won’t want to miss!
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Why didn't you stick to your New Year’s resolution? Was it because it was too vague or you took on too much? There is a good way to effectively set goals. Start by believing in the process, write it down on paper then go a little deeper. There are 10 steps all together. Visualize the success you can have. Step by step you can finish the process and achieve your goals! Join me on Thursday, February 20th at 11:00am to go over the steps and begin the journey of achieving your goals! -IC staff, Alisa R.
Our Guest Artist, Adis Halilovic, was so enlightening. His work is based on some of his fears. He was born in Bosnia. Like most of us, he suffers from anxiety and depression. He uses art as a way to cope with his anxiety. Adis showed us some amazing art that he has done. He seems like he has a great grasp on art and putting your inner fears on paper. We have so much in common. I use art to help me with my issues. I think Adis has a bright future. Our Mending Art group is enjoying his story. We can all relate to his method. We all have a story to tell. I have learned so much about my artistic ability. I love creating things based on my emotions. I would like to thank Adis for coming and sharing your story. Your work is so inspiring! -IC member, Annette B.
Many of us have done or attempted to do word searches before. At first glimpse it can look confusing and difficult. You’re not sure where to begin or what to search for. You feel like giving up because your efforts seem pointless and progress is slow. Then you stick with it, you get focused and you start to find words. Your attitude changes. So, during our workshop we decided to compare a word search to a life search. Good key points were brought up like sometimes life can feel confusing and difficult, but we have to stay focused and search for the right answer. At times we think we found the answer but realize that we haven’t and we have to start over. Another comparison was through all the confusion of all the letters you have to find the word, like in life through all the confusion going on you have to find meaning and clarity. Sometimes it might feel like our efforts are not making a difference but each word we find in a word search brings us to our goal of finishing as in life each positive move we make brings us to our purpose. We find that things may not happen on our time and as fast as we would like, but if we are patient and keep a positive attitude things will work out. -IC staff, Derrick W.
For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/cthearing voicesnetwork or http://www.hearingvoicesusa. org
Alternatives to Suicide Support Group 399 Franklin Avenue Hartford Wednesdays 4-5pm http://toivocenter.org OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/ocd /patients/support.aspx Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanonym ous.org/ga For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/educ ation/information or call: 1-800-842-1510
“Life is not about how you survive the storm, but how you dance in the rain.” -Vivian Green
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“Having the proper outlook and attitude can help you reach your goals.” — Richard A.
Colon Rowe Rountree Fanelli Hanlon Ifill Cuevas Gaines Martinez Garafano Torres Kelly Kader Fraser Hemingway Murdoch Mhando Gere Bozzoto Stefan Majewski Bouchard Ward Parades Stefan Palmieri
L M B M R P K D M P E D E J M D O C J S C R Q C R J
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Richard has been a member since the 1980’s and says that he has reached a lot of his goals as a result of getting the support he needed. He was in and out of hospitals from 1980-1984 and finally was able to get the appropriate treatment at the Institute of Living in Hartford. After coming to the Independence Center, and receiving the much needed support and encouragement, Rich was able to start classes at Naugatuck Valley Community College. Prior to that, he was not able to pass any classes. Rich eventually went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies from Charter Oak College in 2007. Richard is a prolific writer and is published in our local newspaper’s editorial section at least twice per month and recently won the “Golden Pen Award” from Keep the Promise after having his Op-Ed regarding Mental Health Issues published. At first Rich didn’t think his writing attempts would be successful, but he kept sending them in anyway. Now readers look forward to his thoughts and opinions. Richard also has had some of his writings published in Smithsonian Magazine. More recently, after taking a class at the UCONN Waterbury Branch, he is hoping to have some of his short stories published. Richard says that “having the proper outlook and attitude can help you reach your goals. Feeling optimistic, even when there are obstacles is key to overcoming them.” Richard maintains that having support from a mental health system is beneficial to his recovery. Richard utilizes the Independence Center and a National Alliance with a call-in support when needed.
Richard volunteers at the local library sorting donated books, and has an upcoming employment opportunity. He worked for six years as a crossing guard and endured rain, wind and snow to ensure the safety of the school children who he assisted.
Join us for Birthday Bash on Tuesday, February 25 at 2:45 p.m. to celebrate!
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Richard says that all of his life experiences have taught him a lot and made him who he is today. He is more aware of the positive things in his life and sees the challenges that he has overcome as experiences that he has benefitted from. Without them “I would have been a different person”. Richard is truly a wonderful individual and we hope to see his novel next! -IC staff, Debbie H.
In the month of February, the IC will be holding workshops focused on Self-love, Self-care and SelfEsteem. Practicing self-love can be challenging for many of us, especially in times when we face serious challenges. Self-love, self-care and selfawareness is part of getting in touch with ourselves, our well-being and our happiness. So do yourself a favor, take a deep breath, give yourself a big hug and join us for the following workshops!
1) Start each day by telling yourself something really positive. Fill your body with food and drink that nourishes it and makes it thrive.
Monday February 3rd 10 am- Importance of SelfCare 11 am -Food that Loves Me.
2) Move that body…Exercise! 3) Surround yourself with
Monday February 10th 10 am- Learn to Love Yourself 11 am -Self-Esteem Boosters. -IC staff, Jessica M.
people who love and encourage you.
4) Celebrate your wins no matter how big or small. February is heart health month. I will be holding a group that will discuss 10 tips for a healthy heart. Of course, quitting smoking is first on the list but smiling is also on the list. Making time for enjoyable activities and hobbies helps relieve stress and improves your mood which provides a great foundation for a heart healthy lifestyle. Also, conditions that lead to heart disease are happening at younger ages. High rates of obesity and high blood pressure (ages 35-65) are putting younger people at risk for heart disease earlier in life. Half of all Americans have at least one of the top risk factors (smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). To learn more about how you can improve your heart health, join me on Thursday, February 6th at 11:00. - IC staff, Alisa R.
What's the difference between a hippo and a
Zippo? One is really heavy, the other's a little lighter. A cement mixer and a prison bus crashed on
the highway. Police advise citizens to look out for a group of hardened criminals. I saw a movie about how ships are put
together. It was riveting. Have you heard the one about the skunk? Never mind, it really stinks.
5) Embrace and love the things that make you different.
6) Take the time to calm your mind every day. Breathe in and out, clear your mind of your thoughts and just be present for yourself.
7) Be kind and support yourself through the hard times.
8) Be mindful of what you think, feel and want.
9) Treat others with love and respect. It makes us feel better about ourselves when we treat others the way we hope to be treated.
10)Get creative and express yourself in whatever way you like (example: Painting, writing, sculpting, building, music, etc…) There are no right ways to be creative!
How many tickles does it take to get an octopus to laugh? Ten tickles. What's a balloon's least favorite type of music? Pop.
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Please note that some of the items on this list are dependent upon age and/or sex. This is a general guideline to review with your doctor. If something does not feel right or you are concerned, say something! You are in control, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. blood pressure blood sugar levels body mass index bone mineral density cholesterol
colon/rectal cancer screen eyes skin teeth prostate cancer screen testicular cancer screen
Did you know that February is National Self Check month? What is Self Check month you ask? It is a reminder to check in with your body, to get those screenings or check-ups done that you have been putting off or perhaps have just forgotten about. It is a time to let go of any embarrassment or unease. Early detection is your best chance at overcoming diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc. Use this month as a reminder to go and get a breast or prostrate exam. Go see your dentist. Get a physical and get your blood tested. Any pesky moles or skin tags? Make an appointment to get them looked at by a dermatologist. There are resources available for you to live your best life, and to make it a long one! At the IC this month Alisa will be running a Self Check Series every Tuesday at 11:00. Each week she will cover a different topic and what the recommendations are to help prevent, diagnose and treat different diseases. Of course you don’t have to wait for these workshops. Feel free to meet with any staff if you have any concerns about your health or if you need assistance with linking to a specific doctor. We can even help you come up with a list of questions to bring to your health care provider. Bringing a list is a great way to ensure that you don’t forget anything and that you get the answers you need. For more information on self checks a great resource to look into is “Self Chec.” They are a private nonprofit organization dedicated to ‘...helping save precious lives by raising awareness of the importance of early detection and preventative actions…’ On this website you can find some great resources covering all aspects of being healthy and real-life ways to make that happen. You can find them at https://selfchec.org/. We hope that you take the time not only this month, but every month, to take care of your health. Remember, you don’t realize how important your health is until you lose it. YOU have the power to do this and we are here to support you along the way!
breast abnormalities
-IC staff, Trista G.
cervical cancer screen
vaccinations mental health
Join us for Art Club Fridays at 2:00 p.m. in the art studio with our Mending Art Advocate, Jessica! Bring your creative ideas and explore your creative voice. Use this time to work on your own unique projects. Our studio is full of materials and staff can assist you to complete a project or start a new one. Infinite possibilities await!
substance use domestic violence tobacco use/vaping
-IC staff, Jessica M.
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Wolfie working in the IC Studio
Throughout the coming months, the Independence Center will be discussing the importance of the 2020 Census. Some areas of Waterbury are already considered “low-response” areas, meaning that there are a lot of people who do not fill out the census. Here are some key points to consider when you are thinking about filling out this year’s census: The census answers are confidential. The census bureau is legally bound to not
share information. They do not ask for social security numbers or financial information, for example. The census equals money for states, cities and communities. Census data will
determine how more than $675 in federal funds will be distributed to the states each year in the next ten years. Connecticut receives 10.5 Billion dollars which supports program such as Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance/Section 8, Public works, WIC (Women, Infant, Children), Head Start and other school programs, just to name a few. It’s easy. You can respond online or over the phone. You can use the
computers in our computer lab to answer the questions. Staff will be happy to assist you in this process. It should only take about 5 or so minutes. Please look for scheduled events on the IC Calendar for more information! -IC staff, Debbie H.
In alignment with February being “boost self-esteem month” Acts of Kindness will be helping you to help others to feel good and pass that feeling along! It has been proven time and time again, that giving a compliment feels as good (and sometimes even better) than receiving one. During our workshop on Tuesday, February 25th at 10:00 we will be putting that theory to the test. We will be boosting our self esteem by providing words of kindness to each other. We will also be creating a basket of “compliments” that we will be leaving at the front desk for people to pick from. Having a bad day-pick from the basket! Having a good day-pick from the basket! You may be surprised at how quickly your mood improves and how good you feel. So for this month, we challenge you, today and every day, to say something kind to at least 3 people. Watch how your self-esteem grows and notice the effect on others. You may even make a new friend! -IC staff, Alisa R.
Infoline CT 211 VEYO 1-855-478-7350 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332 Crisis 1-866-794-0021 Statewide # for Opioid (Opiate) Dependence 1-800-563-4086 You will be linked with walk-in assessment centers
Dentists in Waterbury who take Husky Health Staywell Health Center 203-597-9044 South Main Street 203-756-8021 Phoenix Avenue Community Health Center 203-574-4000 Columbia Dental 1-866-645-0111
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Disclaimer: Articles which show “submitted by” are not written by an IC member. They are articles that our members came across, were inspired by, and brought in to the Center to inspire and encourage other members. Often the authors of these articles are unknown. The opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Independence Center’s members, the staff, or the Editor.
Black History Month is an annual observance in February originating in the United States. It is a celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. It is also known as African American History Month. We hope that you will join us at the IC on Wednesday February 26 as we spend the entire day dedicated to black history. We will have workshops throughout the day to celebrate, educate and create. We will also be having a delicious homemade meal of chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and banana pudding—FREE to all members! We hope to see you there!